For years I have used my trusty Sioux angle head screw gun but it has now given up. I need a corded screw gun to start a large job with steel construction and plywood/osb siding. I have sampled the Senco and Millwakee guns (@ JLC live show) with auto feed. Both seemed good but before I buy would like some imput from the pros and their experience or suggestions. I feel there are too many screws on this project for a cordless model.
Thanks
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Replies
I have two quickdrive guns. Both are the higher priced units with extensions etc. One is about 6 years old with a pc high speed motor, and the other is about 2 years old with a higher torque makita motor. Both are used for decks, drywall, and subfloor. I honestly have had no problems with either. BTW, I originally went with quickdrive because my local/favorite yard supplied them.
Kevin
Thanks to all. Sounds like the millwakee is a good bet. The suggestions for the long cord are really appreciated as I had not given that a thought.
Bill
Milwaukee, although toughest brands out there, never has had the market on screw guns. Their guns seem clunky to me. Dewalt has the best guns, both 2.5 and 5 grand range. Porter Cable makes a beautiful screw gun but it's way top heavy. The nose pulls off easily on the Dewalt when extra depth is needed and the bit holder is a snap to change.Dewalt also makes a nice cordless screwgun - it works great for overhead work.have fun, Carl
I have the milwaukie..bought the kit with the matal box..love it 2500 rpb and a bit set Buckism: Will show you the the way
Milwaukee.. Get it in a TEK rating... go for a 2500ish RPM rate..
I second the Milwaukee.
they have a "carpenters screw gun" on amazon for ~139$
thier snap clutch is sweet...
unless you LIKE to listen the grating RRRRRRRR of your clutch gradually wearing itself away.
Oh yeah get the one with the quik-loc cord and get a 25 or 50 foot cordand you won't have to fight the plug-knot getting caught every time you ar fighting with a stubborn sheet!!!
2500 rpm max.
anything more is a drywall gun that will just frustrate you when you use it for anything that requires more than minimal torque.
PC used to make a 1000 rpm screwdriver that was sweet.
it had both a positive drive clutch and an adjustable torque clutch.
have not seen one in years tho.
"I think natural selection must have greatly rewarded the ability to reassure oneself in a crisis with complete bull$hit."
I'm Swiss!
Edited 8/7/2005 1:58 pm ET by Mr T
IIRC Milwaukee has a 1200 RPM gun too..
Don't mean to hijack this thread but (and I'm sure this is a very naive question)....what exactly is the advantage a screw gun has over a standard drill/driver (with a driver bit.) I have a dry wall dimpler/bit on mine when I need to do alot of driving. It seems to do the same job as the screw guns.Other than the higher rpm's, what is the advantage? Of course I do know that some screw guns offer a collated autofeed magazine...but there are attachments you can put on a standard drill.
You are only using the screw gun on occasion to do sheet rock. If you were doing it all the time you'd quickly find out the diff.
The dw gun is much faster to use then a drill with the attachment that you are using. Has a clutch in it so that you can keep the trigger held on and it don't spin until pressure is put on the tip. Easier to use if your shoting screws at the rate those dw'ers do.
I'm not a dw'er so my explanation isn't the best!
Doug
The only thing I would add is that a screwgun is balanced. if you watch a good rocker, they don't really grip the gun, they cup it between the thumb and index finger. The good guns have a groove in the handle for just that.
Rockers drive hundreds of screws daily, day in day out. I've had guys that can make a gun last a year, others can wreck one in a week.
A long cord to reduce snags is another must for a gun. Mike
Trust in God, but row awayfrom the rocks
I work for a commercial drywall co.
Used to use Dewalt, as do most others
Now we are using Hilti, the new beefier one.(nice gun)$$$?
This may have to do with their leasing program my co. uses.
When I used to have to buy my own Milwakee was the toughest but heavy
The Dewalt Pro w/ 50' cord is what I would get if I had to buy one
Edit- I have never seen a pro use a self loader especially for framing. I have done demo's onsite for rolls of ringshank nails w/ nailguns used to shoot plywood to heavier guage studs, but wasn't too impressed
                                  Mike
                    Trust in God, but row awayfrom the rocks
Edited 8/7/2005 12:39 pm ET by Ruffmike
Bill, take a look at your local HD, they might have Hilti screw gun, I'm thinking of buying one,too. Or you can visit HD web site also.
Good luck.
Tung